Your security career in the United States

Become a
security guard.

Choose your state to check the requirements, compare training courses and find security jobs.

AI illustration of a private security officer welcoming a visitor at a New York office reception.

Find my guide

Start with the area where you want to work.

TryPhoenix Los Angeles New York

Training and licensing by state

Choose your state.

Find your state

California

$3,603 / month

Monthly median pay · Before tax

Florida

$2,992 / month

Monthly median pay · Before tax

New York

$3,687 / month

Monthly median pay · Before tax

Texas

$2,998 / month

Monthly median pay · Before tax

Gross monthly estimates use annual median pay ÷ 12.
BLS May 2025 via O*NET. Actual pay varies by job and hours.

Your local industry

The security industry in the United States

From hospital entrances to office lobbies and mobile patrols, security work is shaped by the site, the shift and your state’s requirements.

Research checkedSep 18, 2026

Security-guard employment

1,283,470jobs

May 2025

BLS OEWS occupation 33-9032 across industries. Employment estimates cover security guards, including in-house roles; they are a different population from the guarding-business count.

BLS: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025

Median annual security-guard pay

38,020USD per year

May 2025

National occupational median for security guards. Local pay, hours and role requirements vary; this is gross annual pay, not take-home income.

BLS: Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers

Guarding and patrol workplaces

11,104employer establishments

2023

Census NAICS 561612, security guards and patrol services, national total across all legal forms. One company can operate several establishments. This excludes businesses without employees.

U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns 2023 national data

Employers to explore

Selected employers with official careers pages.

How hiring works

Choose a local role
Check the requirements
Apply and prepare for the interview
Confirm the offer and onboarding

See the application steps

Security guard pay

Estimate your monthly pay.

Try different hours and see an estimated gross income using your state’s median hourly wage.

This estimate excludes tax, overtime premiums and unpaid time.

Work locationHours per week 40 hours

Estimated gross monthly pay$3,604$20.79/hour × 40 hours × 52 weeks ÷ 12 · Wage source ↗

Getting started

How to become a security guard.

Get trained.

Find the training your role requires. Compare providers, course formats, duration and published fees.

Get licensed, where required.

Check your state’s licence or registration rules and follow the application steps with the relevant authority.

Find work.

Explore security jobs near you. Check the pay, shifts and requirements, then follow the employer’s application route.

Illustration of a hospital security officer assisting a visitor

Your first on-the-job decision

A visitor has lost
their access pass.

They say they’re late for an important meeting. What do you do first?

Choose an answer to see the explanation.

Start your free course online General preparation. Required training follows your state’s rules.

Working in security

What does a security guard do?

A calm welcome. A safe workplace. Someone who notices when help is needed. Discover the judgement, care and responsibility behind the role.

Why security matters

Find security jobs

Find security jobs near you.

Explore security vacancies by location, pay and shift pattern. Check the employer’s requirements and follow the application route shown for each job.

Browse security jobs

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Become asecurity guard.